Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day (IWD) (which can also be written Woman’s Day), and the traditional São Paulo (southeast of Brazil) march will take place with expectations for a turnout of around 10,000.
Nalu Faria, one of the coordinators of the event which will bring together representatives of some 80 organizations, says that this year the women’s movements are focused on the labor market and determined to improve wages for women, which, although there has been progress, remain around 35% less than a man’s wages for the same work.
"A small group of women have reached good positions, but for the vast majority of women, the labor market is a precarious place as far as jobs, pay and rights go," says Faria.
Other issues the women’s movements will be marching for are: the problem of violence against women, the decriminalization of abortion in Brazil and, in solidarity with marchers in the United States, the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq. "We will be collecting signatures on petitions regarding these issues," explains Faria.
The São Paulo march is not the only event commemorating Women’s Day in Brazil. There will be events and marches in other cities around the country.
ABr